Increasing numbers of people in Wales are being referred to social prescribing services, through which they can be supported to access activities like exercise classes, gardening, and art groups in their community to better manage their health and wellbeing.  

Social prescribing is an umbrella term that describes a person-centred approach to connecting people to local community assets. It can help empower individuals to recognise their own needs, strengths, and personal assets and to connect with their own communities for support with their personal health and wellbeing.  

Social prescribing can be used to help a person improve their physical, mental or social wellbeing, and may provide a continuum of support and play a preventative role. 

Recent data shows there has been a clear year-on-year increase in referrals and use of social prescribing from around 10,000 in 2018 to 2019 to just over 25,000 in 2020 to 2021. Evidence suggests social prescribing reduces footfall to GP surgeries by 15 to 28 per cent, with around 20 per cent of patients contacting their GP regarding social problems. 

The Welsh Government have launched a National Framework for Social Prescribing, to provide a common set of standards and ensure consistent delivery of social prescribing, regardless of the setting.